Arthur Wardle, R.I., R.B.C., 1864-1949

The canvas is original. There is some light surface dirt. Otherwise in good condition. Ultra violet light reveals a masking varnish and scattered infilling to the sky and elsewhere. Held in a decorative gold painted frame in good condition.
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A self-taught London artist with no academic training, Arthur Wardle painted domestic and sporting animal subjects, along with wild animals painted from sketches done on the spot during his visits to London Zoo. He is, however, mainly known for his paintings of dogs and it is thought that he probably painted every breed of purebred dog that existed in his day. He began exibiting at the R.A. in 1880 at the young age of sixteen, was elected to the Pastel Society in 1911 and became a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours in 1922. His first one man exhibition was held at the Fine Art Society in 1931.

This painting depicts two Llewellin English Setters. This strain of English Setter was bred as a working or hunting dog, as opposed to the Laverack Setter, which was bred as a show dog. Both types of setter still exist today and can be traced back to two well known breeders in the late 1800s, Mr R. L. Purcell Llewellin and Mr Edward Laverack.